How Do I....?

by Charlotte
(Website Editor)

How do I do that...?

A selection of questions from readers wondering 'how do I do that...?'

Interior design help and information...

Browse these questions and answers, or ask your own question...

How to Paint a Chair?

by julieta
(UK)

I wanted to ask some advice on redecorating my chairs, I searched for it on your website, but couldn't find anything... any tips?

I am completly new in interior decorating..! So, I have these two plain looking chairs... I want to repaint and decorate the wooden frame of the chairs(it looks like wood, not sure if it is)

I would appreciate any tips, thanks

kind regards

julieta

Comments:

Hello Julieta

Thanks very much for your query.

Painting your chairs sounds like an excellent idea - you can get some really lovely results like this.

I think the best thing to do if you think it is wood, but it might not be, is to do an undercoat with a good quality, all purpose primer (these can sometimes be in spray cans - if spraying, wear an appropriate face mask).

Then you can do a top coat of the colour paint you want. A paint specially designed for metal or wood is usually best (you can usually choose a silk or gloss finish - the gloss is shinier and will take longer to dry). You can also use suitable spray cans if you prefer (check the label to see it's suitable for wood).

The advantage of spray cans is that you get an even finish, without brushmarks, and the paint usually dries quicker - but you may need to practice a little if you aren't used to spraying, so you get the nice finish with no runs etc.

If you do get runs or imperfections with either paint or spray cans, you should wait until it has dried completely, then sand it down and reapply.

Make sure you choose a primer/undercoat that is compatible with the top coat. The easiest way is to look what is advised on the label, and perhaps keep to the same brand of paint, to be sure.

Always follow the instructions on the labels.

I hope that will be helpful for your project.

Good luck with your decorating project - hope you can get it done in time for Christmas!

Best wishes

Charlotte

Removing sizing from wall

by Julie
(Bay City,MI)

After taking off the wallpaper, some of the sizing came off too in spots. I want to paint what do I do about these areas. It is sorta rubbery....

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Comment
By Charlotte
8 May 2012

Hi Julie

Sounds like you're working hard on your home makeover. Unfortunately you won't get very good results if you paint over the wallpaper sizing that has been left behind.

If you have any uneven areas where some of the sizing has come away, it is best to add some all purpose filler to these areas, allow it to dry, and sand until flat.

Then add an oil based primer all over the walls. This will cover the wallpaper sizing, plus any areas of paste or glue, and provide a suitable surface over which to paint.

I hope that helps.

Good luck with your project. Let us know how it turns out.

Best wishes

Charlotte

More about removing wallpaper

More about using paint in your home

Wallpaper over vinyl?

by Sam Fowler
(Corpus Christi, Texas)

I have a mobile home with vinyl covered sheetrock. I am remodelling the master bath and need to cover the existing sheetrock. I am thinking I should wallpaper. Can wallpaper be applied over the vinyl covering? If so, any advice would be welcome.

Comment:
by Charlotte

Hi Sam

You can't wallpaper directly over the vinyl, it's too shiny and the wallpaper will just slide off.

You need to prepare it first - personally I would try a light sanding and a suitable primer.

I've also looked about and found this product from 'Roman Decorating Products' - WHITE BITE Premium Wall Primer GH-77 which says that it will prepare any wall surface for wallpaper hanging (even glossy surfaces) - so you would likely not even need to sand your wall if you use this. However, please do check with the manufacturers before use to check that it is, indeed, suitable for your intended purpose.

Link to product info, here...

Find a retailer near you, here...

I'm also wondering about using wallpaper in a bathroom area? - wallpapers are not generally considered suitable for wet areas like bathrooms, as the moisture makes the edges curl up and peel off. You can get specialist vinyl wallpapers for bathrooms, which are designed to take damper conditions, so this may be worth looking out for, for you.

Or perhaps the area of wall you'd like to wallpaper in your bathroom is well away from any 'splash zones' close to bath, shower or sink, in which case you probably wouldn't have too much of a problem.

If you wanted to paint instead, use a specialist kitchen and bathroom paint, which is suited to the damper conditions in these rooms, and again use a suitable paint primer to cover the vinyl before you start.

Hope this helps.

Good luck with your makeover, Sam.

Best wishes

Charlotte :)

Slanted front countertop display case

by Pat
(Duluth, MN)

Hi,

I have a countertop display case, the kind with the slanted glass front - like you see at antique stores and auctions.

The base is 14" x 16" and it's probaby 24" tall (or so).

I want to use it as a curio display but I can't figure out where to put it - an end table would be too low, on top of an entertainment center or china cabinet too high.... I don't want the room to look like a store!

Can anyone help please?

Thanks,
Pat

Comments:

Feb 02, 2009
Find the ideal spot....
by: Charlotte

Hello Pat

Your display case looks very nice - I'm not surprised that you want to find the perfect spot to show it off!

Eye level, or just below eye-level will show off the contents the best. Do bear in mind that this could mean eye-level when seated, if you wish to put your cabinet in a room where you spend a lot of time sitting down.

I think you may just need to try it out in a few different spots in your home, until you find somewhere of a suitable height, that looks nice.

Alternatively, you can always decide the height and position you would ideally like your cabinet and put up a sturdy shelf, for this, and perhaps some other items (I think a longer shelf would look better than one cut exactly to size, as it will not make the case look disproportionately large sat on it).

If you do decide to put a shelf up, choose the spot carefully so that it doesn't stick out into the room too much.

Has anyone else got any other ideas?

I hope that you will soon find the idea spot for your display case - it is far too nice not to be in pride of place.

Good luck

Best wishes

Charlotte :o)

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Feb 02, 2009
Thanks
by: Anonymous

Charlotte,

Thanks so much for your help.
The eye level hint - and consider whether standing or seated - was very helpful.

My living room is a tough place to arrange anything - it really only got one wall and that's taken up by a huge entertainment center (hubby's pride and joy).

Then there's two large walls with windows and the rest is open into the entryway and the dining room, so wall space is hard to find!

And the part about sticking into the room is exactly the problem I've encountered. It's a tad wider (front to back) than most console tables and such. So I was stuck but you gave me some ideas to try!

Thanks,
Pat

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Feb 02, 2009
my pleasure
by: Charlotte

No problem at all Pat, it was my pleasure to help.

I hope you find the ideal spot.

Best wishes

Charlotte :o)

What order should I do my decorating in?

by Jenna
(Miami, Florida)

I need to repaint a room in my house and redo the hardwood floors. Which is it best to do first? Should I sand and stain the floors first? Or paint the walls? Which sequence makes most sense and why?

Reply:

It is recommended that you paint the walls first, then sand and stain the floors - you are really more likely to drip on the floors than splash stain up the walls, and it is far easier to touch up paint on the wall and get a good, neat finish, than touch up the floor stain.

Don't forget to let the paint on the walls dry very well, before you start the floor!

Take a look at this recommended order of works, that professional interior designers use, to plan their interior design projects: click here.

Wishing you lots of luck and fun with your decorating project.

Crown moulding and the ceiling color

by Sandra
(Texas)

Charlotte, Thank you so much for your very helpful input on my previous questions regarding chair railing and crown molding!

How wonderful to have your professional opinion on my re-do project.

You commented: "Keep the crown moulding to antique white, or even plain white - and keep the ceilings in white too."

I'm not sure whether you mean it would be okay to paint the crown moulding antique white even though the ceiling is white-white.

I am hoping it will look okay to paint the crown moulding antique white, especially in the rooms where the chair railing is antique white.

Will the antique crown moulding work okay with white-white ceilings?

Thank you, thank you! Sandra

Reply:

Hello Sandra

Sorry for any confusion!

Yes, it should be fine to paint the crown moulding in antique white, and the ceiling in white-white.

It is just best to keep to light colors high up, especially if you have concerns about the ceilings feeling low.

White-white is still a good color for ceilings though - in my opinion ceilings themselves should be kept as light and bright as possible.

So yes, antique white crown moulding with a white-white ceiling should have no problems!

Good luck with your project.

Best wishes

Charlotte

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I agree, ceiling should be light
by: Milan Jara

Hi,

I agree with you that ceiling should be light color especially if it is less than 10 ft.

All my moldings in my home are pure white along with the ceilings where I have installed ceiling tiles. Walls are off white.

Window treatments for fluted trim

by Kay
(Georgia)

I am in the process of remodeling a house. Some windows I have added the flueted trim around the windows and some windows have yet to be replaced.

What is the best window treatment I can use and still be able to view the added fluted trim that adds more value to a home?

Reply:


Hello Kay

If you want to show off your new fluted window trim, you need a choose a window treatment that does not cover it up...

...this means that a traditional curtain either side of your window is probably out! But this doesn't necessarily rule out curtains full stop!

Blinds fitted inside the 'reveal' of the window will show off the trim on the frames - these can be a simple, modern roller blind or venetian blind, or something fancier, such as an Austrian blind, to suit your style.

Simple nets or voiles, again fitted to the inside of the window (inside the reveal) will also leave the trim free to be admired.

Swags and drapes can be artfully arranged around this, still leaving the trim visible, if you want to go for this kind of style. Just position curtain rails higher and wider than the frame and trim, to still leave it on show.

Curtains can still be used if you position the curtain rail or track higher than the frame, and extend the rail well outside the window on either side, so that the frames and trim can still be admired. This can give quite a stately appearance, and you may even like to add a pelmet to the top, to add to this effect.

So, whether you want a modern, or more traditional style, you do have a few options.

More about window treatments, here...

Hope this helps you, Kay

Good luck with the rest of your house remodelling.

Best wishes

Charlotte

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